Beginning of Toolkit

It is my third day in the UK and the first day of Toolkit, a three week training program. There are about 50 new people joining Lifehope, from the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, South Korea, Algeria, Brazil, Finland, Netherlands, and Germany. Not all of them are here yet, but I think there's around 30 of us now.

I have been meeting people, learning my way around the base and the town of Halesowen, and figuring out how daily life at Lifehope works. The weather so far has been like fall weather at home: chilly in the mornings, sometimes breezy, and warm in the sun (no rain yet!). I am trying to get used to thinking in Celsius. I am still surprised every time someone says it's 21 degrees out. (That's 68 in Fahrenheit.) Between that, British pounds sterling, and the metric system, I am having an interesting time trying to convert everything in my head. Even time is not measured quite the same; many of the times at the base are given in 24 hour style, instead of AM and PM.

I will begin my work as Librarian and Training Administrator after Toolkit is over. I looked over the library and am excited to start work. It has many interesting books on a range of subjects, almost half of which are unsorted and desperately in need of my organization. The room is in the middle of the base, but is quiet and smells of old books. I expect to spend much happy time in there.

There is so much going on that I couldn't possibly tell you everything, so if you have any specific questions which I have not answered, please post a comment and ask. I would love to hear from you!